I've Seen a Change in You

[30 Minutes]

Have you ever heard the word chemical? Do you know what it means? When you put two things together and they permanently change into something totally different, you have a chemical and have witnessed a chemical change. Often, heat is used to bring about this change, so invite an adult to help you with this activity.

You'll need:

• a heat source: candle (ADULT ONLY) • matches (ADULT ONLY) • old teaspoon, not to be re-used • ½ tsp. of sugar or sugar cube • wooden clothes pin or tongs • 1 Tbsp. sugar • 1 Tbsp. pepper • small bowl

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through with your child before you begin.
2. With your child, gather everything you'll need.
3. Ask your child to mix one tablespoon of sugar with one tablespoon of pepper in a small bowl.
4. Together, observe that you have changed a pure white substance and a black substance into a dual colored substance.
5. Explain to your child that this was a physical change.
6. As your child observes, light the candle and use tongs to hold the teaspoon.
7. Let your child place the sugar cube (or ½ teaspoon of sugar) on to the teaspoon.
8. Ask your child to observe, as you hold the spoon over the flame.
9. Together, discuss the changes that took place in the sugar.
10. Explain to your child that this was a chemical change.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What did you learn about in this experiment?
• What did you like about this experiment?
• What is the difference between a chemical change and a physical change?

Useful information:

If you add sugar to pepper and mix them, what happens? You wind up with a black and white mixture. There has been a change in the physical appearance of the substances, but there has not been a chemical change. It would be possible (but silly!) to separate each grain of sugar and pepper. The change is not permanent. When you heated the sugar, you changed it permanently. You caused a chemical change. Each molecule in the sugar broke down and lost it’s hydrogen and oxygen, leaving carbon on the spoon. In the world of science, a chemical change occurs when you permanently change a substance.